... that when we say our farewells to our friends or dear ones. It Was Our Best Whoever it was that offered the sour wine to our Lord undoubtedly did it out of sympathy and eagerness to do something for Jesus. Luther did not think much of that. He thought poorly of the idea ... the wine used in the celebration of Holy Communion was sour. So much the better. Let it be a reminder of how our Lord sipped from sour wine at that moment when he offered up complete and full our salvation to God. To be sure, when we taste ...
... For starters, it's the embarrassment of regarding God as One whom we could locate in the first place; of treating God like One who could be casually observed -- as if, let's say, from the dimly-lit interior of a theater with us seated safely in the shadows. The Lord's glory, though, is far too immense to be confined to a stage, much less to a script. And part of the embarrassment, it seems to me, of wanting to point to such glory in the subtle realization that, in so doing, we may actually be trying to put ...
... Moses is doing here: encouraging the people to recall the many blessings they have witnessed together. "Take care that you do not forget the Lord your God," he tells the Israelites, "for it was Yahweh who brought you to this place." It's almost as if he is inviting ... have multiplied ... Do not say to yourself, 'My power and the might of my own hand have gotten me this wealth.' But remember the Lord your God, for it is the Almighty who gives you the power to get wealth ... (Deuteronomy 8:12-13, 17-18). Do you ...
... you do, we learn all over again how magnificent you are. Our thoughts can't stretch far enough to encompass you. Our emotions, as wondrous and creative as they may be, cannot contain your majesty. For all that you have been, are, and will be, we praise your name. Our Lord, we come to you in the act of confession. We've not been all that we can be. We can see beauty, but for reasons not always known to us we choose to look upon the ugly. We take delight in our neighbor's failure. We consort with evil, even ...
... refuse to accept the vision of reality proffered by the Babylonians and cling to their own identity through memory. How could we sing the Lord's song in a foreign land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither! Let my tongue cling to the roof of ... things, thus creator of the individual. It is a God who can speak to the heart of each of us as God's creatures. That same Lord now speaks to Israel in a new bondage with a new hope: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, ...
Lk 3:7-18 · Phil 4:4-7 · Zeph 3:14-20 · Isa 12:2-6
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
... midst. His coming for the first time in our lives or for the last time in history is an occasion to sing and shout: "Praise the Lord!" Outline: Sing and shout because – a. We have the victory v. 15a b. We have God with us vv. 15b, 17a c. We have no fear ... having Jesus, for to have him is to have all. Outline: How you can be happy – a. What to do "Rejoice" b. Why rejoice "in the Lord" c. When? "Always" 2. Why can you be so happy? (4:4-7). Need: You see some Christians, like Paul, who have a radiance of joy ...
... has come, and is coming again. Let the peace of God keep guard over your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus. Friends, believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Exhortation The Lord is near. Have no anxiety, but in everything make your requests known to God in prayer and petition with thanksgiving. Prayer of the Day Child of Bethlehem, Man of Nazareth, Christ of God, with Mary we treasure the stories of your birth and ponder over these things. May the celebration ...
... one we focus more intently on what that means for our lives. The question haunts us. "Are you ready for that kind of Christmas?" To be ready for Christmas in the biblical story does not involve relaxation, but upheaval. We know that the coming of the Lord will challenge priorities and prejudices. We know that the kind of world for which we long cannot be accomplished without confrontation and change. We know that kind of messiah, no doubt, will ask a lot of us. Are we ready for that kind of Christmas? It ...
John 18:1-11, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Genesis 22:1-19, Hosea 6:1--7:16, Hebrews 10:1-18, Hebrews 4:14-5:10, John 19:17-27
Sermon Aid
Russell F. Anderson
... s kingdom. Christ was willing to cash in his life for a world redeemed. Some would say he saw it as a sure bet, but if that were true, what would become of faith? Even Christ had to walk by faith, not by sight. Standing under the cross. Our Lord's mother, his sister, Mary Magdalene and John were standing near Jesus, under the cross. These had not forsaken him to his fate. They did not understand what was happening but love drew them to the place of the skull. We too can never fully understand the meaning of ...
John 20:10-18, John 20:1-9, Colossians 3:1-17, Acts 10:23b-48
Sermon Aid
Russell F. Anderson
... of God, all that is noble and true. Gospel: John 20:1-18 Resurrected Run. What was it that made Peter and John race to the tomb? Of course, Mary Magdalene reported that the tomb was open and empty, but why the rush? Had they remembered that the Lord said he would rise from the grave after three days? Were they merely curious? On entering the tomb, they observed that the grave clothes had been left behind. If his body had been stolen, why were the burial clothes not taken with the body? Yet their response is ...
Mt 2:13-23 · Jn 1:1-18 · Eph 1:3-14 · Jer 31:7-14 · Is 61:10--62:3 · Ps 147
Sermon Aid
Russell F. Anderson
... of the nation and the cult, which becomes also his personal salvation. The joy he feels is like that of the bride and the groom, as they are cheerfully bedecked with the festal garments. In like manner, the captives are clothed with the robe of righteousness. The Lord's righteous reign is as sure as the spring time. All nations will see the splendor of Zion. Epistle: Ephesians 1:3-14 Paul extols the lavishness of God's gifts of grace in choosing us, before the world was created, to be his own dear children ...
... , because we abide in the Savior this way, "Ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." Some good-meaning folk take this to mean we get anything we want in some magical way. It means rather, that in conformity with the suffering of our Lord, with holy baptism, with faith, and with the sacrament we can ask God for whatever we are lacking that we might be able to do what God requires of us. The Best Fruit Jesus concludes this portion of his discourse on a high note. Not only do those who thrive ...
... that when we say our farewells to our friends or dear ones. It Was Our Best Whoever it was that offered the sour wine to our Lord undoubtedly did it out of sympathy and eagerness to do something for Jesus. Luther did not think much of that. He thought poorly of the idea ... the wine used in the celebration of Holy Communion was sour. So much the better. Let it be a reminder of how our Lord sipped from sour wine at that moment when he offered up complete and full our salvation to God. To be sure, when we taste ...
... , it bears much fruit."May his dying bear fruit in your life, for the sake of our God and for the coming kingdom. Amen. Hymns and Choruses (The asterisk [*] indicates hymns or choruses that are addressed to God and can be used as prayers.) *"Day by Day" *"Dear Lord, Lead Me Day by Day" "Hallelujah! What a Savior" "Here I Am" "In Christ There Is No East or West" "Jesus Calls Us" "Lift High the Cross" *"Make Me a Servant" "Now the Green Blade Riseth" *"O Jesus, I Have Promised" *"We Would See Jesus" "Where He ...
... table and smiled. He recalled the conversation he had with his new friend, James, at the reception after last year's defeat. James had explained to Micah that he had been one of the gathered assembly who was of another church. James had boldly gone forward and received the Lord's banquet even though he was told it would not be effective and nourishing. He went on to explain to Micah, God's agent, that he had read in the Bible, "Then he took a piece of bread, gave thanks to God, broke it and gave it to them ...
... the central symbol of our faith was launched not by hostile outsiders but by those who claim the title of believer. Can anything be more destructive than attacks from those inside the family of faith? Gospel: John 2:13-22 1. Sermon Title: Cleansing The Lord's House: An Exercise You Must Do At Church. Sermon Angle: Lent offers a time for spiritual and moral cleansing. We usually view this as an exercise for individuals but the church as an institution also needs to be washed clean of corruption. The history ...
... not hidden. God lifts up his salvation for all to see and be saved (the bronze serpent on the pole and Jesus on the cross) (v. 14). 2. For John the cross lifts up Jesus' glory and power. 3. The cross offers eternal life to all who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. 4. We must lift up the cross that others might see and accept God's salvation. 2. Sermon Title: No Condemnation In Christ. Sermon Angle: God's purpose is to save the world, not condemn it (vv. 17-18). Why then was Christ pictured in ancient and ...
... of morality. What the sinner doesn't realize until too late is that he himself is victim of his own sins. Note the consequences that Nathan spelled out for David's sin. But it goes even further, the ultimate victim is God. David confessed: "I have sinned against the Lord." Outline: 1. We like to think that our sins have no victims. 2. David thought that he had contained his sin against Uriah but came to see that he was victim of his own sin. 3. The ultimate victim is God (v. 13). 4. God can and does forgive ...
... peasants: "As soon as your coin in the coffer rings, a soul from purgatory springs." Whew, that was close! (Note: I'm not suggesting dishonest motives on Bright's part or putting him on par with Tetzel.) WORSHIP RESOURCES Psalm Of The Day: Psalm 16 -- "I bless the Lord who gives me counsel" (v. 7); Psalm 15 Prayer Of The Day: God of glory, make us deeply sensitive to the brevity of our existence here on earth, and to the fact that we must render an account before you. May this truth not fill our hearts with ...
... bewail the past. God told Samuel to fill his horn with oil, symbolic of God's Spirit, and pour it on the one ordained by the Lord. We too must go out with the anointing of God's Spirit. Outline: Samuel was caught in the past (like a grave). He was told ... longer regard Christ from a human point of view (v. 16). Christ is not just a man or a teacher. He is our Savior and our Lord. Nor do we regard other people from a strictly human point of view. They are not objects but people for whom Christ died. We also see ...
Isaiah 9:1-7, Psalm 96:1-13, Luke 2:1-7, Luke 2:8-20
Bulletin Aid
B. David Hosetter
... has come, and is coming again. Let the peace of God keep guard over your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus. Friends, believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Exhortation The Lord is near. Have no anxiety, but in everything make your requests known to God in prayer and petition with thanksgiving. Prayer of the Day Child of Bethlehem, Man of Nazareth, Christ of God, with Mary we treasure the stories of your birth and ponder over these things. May the celebration ...
... lifted "up" on a cross, but will go "up" to the Father in heaven. He said that it was "expedient for them, so that the Comforter could come, the Spirit who would abide with them forever." As they watch, a cloud receives him out of their sight as their Lord ascends to his Father in heaven. The reassuring words of the two men in white garments (were they not likely angels?) must have helped a bit when they were told, "This same Jesus will come again, just as you have seen him go into heaven." But when will he ...
Mt 15:21-28 · Ex 16:2-15 · Rom 11:13-16, 29-32 · Ps 78
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
... Be not silent to me, O God (Psalm 109:1)." It may be the silence of unanswered prayer. We seek a word of guidance from the Lord but receive none. God's silence can be a test of our faith. Help (v. 25). "Help" is an SOS of one in danger of perishing ... is a common experience to have the silence of God. It often comes in unanswered prayer. We cry, "Be not silent to me, O Lord." The silent treatment is terrible. We are devastated when we are ignored. God's silence tests our faith. When we experience silence, we ...
Mt 14:22-33 · Rom 9:1-5 · Ex 14:19-31 · Ps 106:4-12
Sermon Aid
John R. Brokhoff
... Good People, Harold Kushner tells that his 14-year-old son died of a tragic illness. He explains that God is all-loving but not all-powerful. Thus, bad things happen to good people because bad things are out of God's control. Take my Hand. When Peter cried out, "Lord, save me," Jesus took him by the hand and held him up. Peter did not hold his hand but Jesus held Peter's. A father and his little daughter were walking on a mountain path. They came to a creek bridged by a fallen log. He told his daughter to ...
Zephaniah 3:1-20, Philippians 4:2-9, Luke 3:1-20, Isaiah 12:1-6
Sermon Aid
George Bass
... L). The Book Of Common Prayer offers Isaiah 12:2-6 as an alternate to Psalm 85:7-13. Psalm prayer (85 - LBW) "God of love and faithfulness, you so loved the world that you gave your only Son to be our Savior. Help us to receive him as both Lord and brother and freely celebrate him as our gracious Redeemer now and forever." THE READINGS Zephaniah 3:14-18a (RC, L); 14-20 (E, C) This is the only reading from Zephaniah that appears in most of the three-year lectionaries. It signals the response of people to the ...